Watch & Learn | The Rolex Daytona – a legendary racing watch

This brilliant men’s watch looks back on a fascinating history. After its launch in 1963, the Cosmograph Daytona was overshadowed by other great Rolex watches, including the Submariner and the GMT Master. Years later, pioneers including the actor, Paul Newman, discovered the beauty of these watches and quickly kickstarted the Daytona-fervour. The prices went to enormous heights and not even the second-hand market could keep up with the increasing demand. The Daytona in stainless steel especially enjoyed popularity and is an object of desire to this day.

Ironically, the watches of the Daytona line were not equipped with Rolex calibres until the year 2000. The first references (e.g. 6239, 6240 or 6263) were endowed with the adjusted Valjoux 72. Up to the year 1988, Rolex used a modified automatic movement based on the El Primero by Zenith, including the Ref. 16520. In the year 2000 however, Rolex finally manufactured their own chronometer 4130 movement. The star of the Rolex family has been manufactured in-house ever since and guarantees flawless expertise and timeless elegance.

The history of the Rolex Daytona is reminiscent of a Hollywood success story. At its launch in 1963, the Rolex Daytona watch was intended to complete the collection of professional Rolex timepieces, which already included the Submariner and the Explorer.

As seen before with Rolex marketing, the company chose a conspicuous name that could easily be remembered: Cosmograph. The stylish chronograph watch does not only stand out due to its name, but also due to the tachymetric scale on the bezel. The adjustment made it easier to read the time as well as the speed per hour. A few years after its introduction, the first Cosmographs with the writing “Daytona” were launched. Initially, Rolex wanted to introduce the title, “Le Mans” - an allusion to the famous French race - but this cooperation was not successful. Tribute to the famous races of Daytona in Florida highlights the connection between Rolex and motorsports.

Today, Rolex is the principal sponsor for the “24 hours of Daytona” race and every winner receives a Rolex Cosmograph with a special engraving on the case back. Collectors call these rare Daytona models “Winner Daytona”.

The days of the Rolex Daytona being regarded as an unpopular shelf warmer are long gone. The years following the introduction of the model displayed an unsatisfactory demand, but the ‘80s, however, abruptly brought about a quick change to the Daytona appeal.

The owners of the first Daytona models with four-digit references can count themselves fortunate: These wristwatches have experienced a phenomenal rise in value throughout the years.

Today, the rare “Paul Newman” Daytona models in particular, cannot be purchased for under €100,000. Rolex only manufactured a small number of this edition as the exotic dial was considered too colourful at the time. Less rare and vintage Daytona models are still considered dream timepieces by collectors nonetheless. Rolex contributed considerably to the Daytona phenomenon: Even though the company produced the watch both in stainless steel and in 14-carat and 18-carat gold, the production of the steel edition was kept intentionally low. Thus, low supply and high demand have resulted in long waiting lists and high prices on the second-hand market.

The waitlist for a steel Daytona hardly exists anymore, in such high demand, they are offered to 'preferred clients' with an established buying history with the Authorised Dealer. The option of a second-hand Cosmograph Daytona might be the right choice – and it does not have to be a used watch since many re-sellers like ourselves offer Daytona's that are just as good as new. The Rolex Daytona models that utilise a Zenith “El Primero” (Ref. 16520) modified automatic winding movement are an optical delight. The latest Daytona models in steel (Ref. 116520), stainless steel and yellow gold (Ref. 116523), and rose gold (Ref. 116505) present a shrewd investment. Not to mention that the Rolex Daytona in Platinum, which is a slightly heavier Cosmograph with a light-blue dial (Ref. 116506), can be found on the wish list of many Rolex enthusiasts.

At Beat The Waitlist, not only can you buy a Rolex Daytona and other coveted watches at an attractive price, you can sell to us too. There's more detailed information about the purchase and sale on this page. Alternatively, get in touch with us by phone or email. We'll give you all the help and advice you need to put up your watch.